Not sure what cookware and tableware you should check out while visiting Japan? Here are 10 things that are worth bringing back in your suitcase from Japan.
One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from JOC readers is what cookware and tableware they should buy when they visit Japan. With limited suitcase space, I understand I can’t suggest everything. Living in the U.S., I have trouble finding certain Japanese cookware and tableware from local stores or online stores, so I made a recommended list here for you.
My suggestions are really for someone who enjoys cooking Japanese food frequently and appreciates Japanese household items. If that’s not you, these items also make great gift ideas for that person in your life who loves Japanese culture and cuisine! If you’re lucky, you may be able to purchase these items easily where you are, but generally, these items are pretty difficult to find and can be very expensive compared to the prices you pay while you’re in Japan.
I hope you find the list helpful and insightful.
Table of contents
Cookware and Kitchen Items to Get From Japan
1. Rice Bowls & Miso Soup Bowls お茶碗・お味噌汁椀
Rice bowls and miso soup bowls are essential items for Japanese families, used daily. In Japan, there are countless variations of rice bowls and miso soup bowls. High-quality wooden miso soup bowls made in Japan can be hard to find in the US. While you’re traveling in Japan, consider picking up some wooden bowls. They are light, easy to bring back, and can add a touch of fun and elegance to your daily miso soup!
I personally bought rice bowls adorned with Mount Fuji drawings in assorted colors. They bring a smile to my children and me every day. Whether it’s a bowl with a cute cat drawing, beautiful cherry blossoms, or the right color that attracts you, find the one that brings a smile to your face.
2. Ramen Bowls
Are you a huge ramen fan (see my ramen recipes) and enjoy serving ramen at home? If so, you must get some ramen bowls when you’re in Japan. Good-quality and good-looking ramen bowls can be hard to find in the U.S. I got mine at Kappabashi Kitchen Town.
On the other hand, if you love donburi dishes, consider getting a variety of donburi bowls. Donburi is a very common meal in Japan, hence we have SO MANY kinds of beautiful donburi bowls.
3. Chopsticks & Chopstick Rests
Even years before I started photo shooting my recipes, I’ve been a collector of chopstick rests. Something about them that is so attractive. Maybe because they are small and I love everything miniature.
If you are in Japan, you will see a lot of cute stores that sell kitchen and home goods. I love to stop by to check out some unique chopstick rests and chopsticks whenever I get a chance. Instead of buying a set of 4-5 pairs, I only buy one chopstick rest and a pair of chopsticks that I love from each store. I enjoy picking out which chopsticks and chopstick rests that would go well together, and everyone would have a different set. The mismatch is supposed to be fun!
4. Magewappa Bento Box
Bento (lunch box) is not only for children, adults can also enjoy it at school, work, or even at home. These wooden bento boxes, called the Magewappa (曲げわっぱ), not only is environmentally friendly, but they also make your lunches so much more appetizing and presentable.
It’s a lot more inexpensive to buy bento boxes in Japan than trying to buy online. You can purchase Magewappa at any tableware and bento stores, but it’s a lot easier to go to Tokyu Hands or a bento box section of the kitchen floor in department stores.
I forgot to mention. Bento box for adult is also great for portion control and perfect for those who try to lose some weight (aka me…).
5. Adjustable Stainless Steel Otoshibuta (Drop Lid) 落とし蓋
Otoshibuta or drop lid is an essential Japanese cooking gadget for all kinds of simmered foods. It’s a kitchen tool that is not so common outside of Japanese cooking, hence it’s hard to find it in kitchen shops in the U.S.
For the longest time, I’ve been waiting for someone or some company to sell these adjustable stainless steel otoshibuta on Amazon, but no luck yet. MTC Kitchen sells it for $19, but you can find an otoshibuta for less than $10 in Japan. This particular one above is around ¥800 ($8). So grab one (or two for your Japanese cooking buddy) when you visit Japan!
6. Tamagoyaki Pan 玉子焼きフライパン
Yes, there are some non-stick Tamagoyaki pans such as this copper Tamagoyaki pan available on Amazon. But the quality of some pans I purchased before was not very good. If you do make tamagoyaki for your children’s bento or for your breakfast regularly, you might as well stop by a kitchen store and get one while visiting Japan. Here you can find my favorite T-fal brand in the picture below (top left) at Tokyu Hands in Shibuya store.
See all the choices of brands and sizes? These are much better quality and less expensive compared to ones you can find on Amazon.
7. Ladles お玉
You may think I’m silly for listing a ladle on your Japan shop list. But true story… I had a really hard time finding the perfect ladle for serving miso soup. All the ladles I purchased in the U.S. are a bit too big to serve into standard size miso soup bowls. I may sound picky, but I’ve purchased enough ladles to try and all the ladles that I end up keeping are all from Japan. Let me say this, the size, shape, angle of the stem, and the material of these ladles from Japan are just perfect. I rest my case.
Here I took the picture at Kappabashi Kitchen Town. So many different sizes, shapes, and utility of ladles! I also recommend visiting supermarkets (especially the one that has a 2nd floor for home and kitchen goods), Tokyu Hands, and even department store kitchen floor. Try holding the ladles and see the difference!
8. Bamboo Baskets
Bamboo products are so much easier to find in Asia. Japan offers amazing hand-woven bamboo products that are made in Japan. There are a lot of bamboo specialized stores and you might spot them while traveling, especially when you visit Kyoto, Takayama, Kamakura, and more traditional cities.
9. Chiffon Cake Pans
I love baking chiffon cakes, so several years ago I bought two different cake pans (17cm and 20cm) in Japan and brought them home with me. Japanese chiffon cake pans are affordable and SUPER easy to use. I like that they come with a slim and tall shape, which are great when comes to making beautiful looking chiffon cakes compared to a flatter angel food cake pan.
This aluminum chiffon cake pan from Asai Shoten (浅井商店) is VERY famous and you can go to the store in Kappabashi Kitchen Town to find them.
With these pans, you can make my Meyer Lemon Chiffon Cake, Green Tea Chiffon Cake, Orange Chiffon Cake, and Earl Grey Chiffon Cake.
10. Plates & Bowls
Some people enjoy shopping for clothes and shoes, but I enjoy getting new kitchen gadgets, pots and pans, and my endless love – plates and bowls. I especially love ceramics from Japan that are so delicate, unique, and of course, handmade.
Some of the plates and bowls are from my grandmother, so they are sentimental pieces to me. My mom kept them in boxes for me knowing that I would need these for Just One Cookbook. I am just happy that I can continue to use this special heirloom tableware.
If you’re curious about how I pack and bring them back home, you can see my Instagram Stories titled “Packing” in my profile, where I explained some tips on wrapping the ceramics and packing them in the boxes.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2019: This year we got to visit and shop in Imari, Arita and Imbe (Bizenware).
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2019: A square copper tamagoyaki pan, different sized Yukihira pots and Shokupan pan were on my list.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2018: Mostly from my mom and grandma’s collections and a few gifts from my friends.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2018: These are actually from Thailand – I brought them to Japan, and then brought them back to the US.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2018: These white plates are all from Le Baise in Kappabashi Kitchen Town in Tokyo.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2018: Unfortunately, this happened a few times, even though I had carefully wrapped them individually.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2017: Ceramics from my trip to Bangkok on top and the rest are Japanese ceramics.
The picture below – Things I brought back in 2016: Majority of ceramics are from a department store Takashimaya in Yokohama. The rest are from my mom.
Where to Find Japanese Tableware in Tokyo Area?
The easiest place to find Japanese ceramics and kitchen items is to go to the kitchen floor (usually 7th or 8th floor) of the nearest department stores or Tokyu Hands. If you are looking for one of kind ceramics, there are some shops that sell unique ceramics made by artists. Here’s a small list of popular ceramic shops in Tokyo.
- Allegory Home Tools in Ebisunishi, Shibuya-ku
- Amahare in Shirokanedai, Minato-ku
- Aoba-do in Shirakawa, Koto-ku
- At Kiln Aoyama in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Beniya Mingeiten in Komaba, Meguro-ku
- Bloom & Branch in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Bondo in Kichijoji Hon-cho, Musashino-shi
- Casica in Shinkiba, Koto-ku
- Chidori in Misaki-cho, Chiyoda-ku
- CLASKA Gallery & Shop “DO” in Chuo-cho, Meguro-ku
- Dengama in Nishi Asakusa, Taito-ku
- FALL in Nishiogikita, Suginami-ku
- Fragile in Ginza, Chuo-ku
- Gyokusendo in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Japanese Pottery shop (Aritayaki Yakimono Ichiba) in Hiroo, Shibuya-ku
- Jokogumo in Shirogane-cho, Shinjuku-ku
- Kagure Omotesando in Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
- Kahahori in Kichijoji Minami-cho, Musashino-shi
- Kakesu Zakkaten in Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Asakusa, Taito-ku
- Kappabashi Kitchen Street in Asakusa, Taito-ku
- KnulpAA Gallery in Shakujiimachi, Nerima-ku
- Koharuan in Yarai-cho, Shinjuku-ku
- Kohoro in Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku
- La Ronde d’Argile in Wakamiya-cho, Shinjuku-ku
- Lion Pottery in Chuo-cho, Meguro-ku
- MARKUS in Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino-shi
- Migo Labo in Gohongi, Meguro-ku
- Migratory in Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku
- Mist∞ in Kichijoji Kitamachi, Musashino-shi
- Monsen in Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku
- Outbound in Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino-shi
- Pond Gallery in Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku
- POTPURRI in Shirakawa, Koto-ku
- Proto Tablewares and Precious in Kuramae, Taito-ku
- Roundabout in Uehara, Shibuya-ku
- Rozan in Nishiogikita, Suginami-ku
- Shouan Bunko in Shouan, Suginami-ku
- SML in Aobadai, Meguro-ku
- Sonomono in Nagasaki, Toshima-ku
- Sora in Himonya, Meguro-ku
- Spiral Market in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Style Hug in Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku
- Syuro in Torigoe, Taito-ku
- Takahashi Sohonten in Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Asakusa, Taito-ku
- Takumi in Ginza, Chuo-ku
- Tasogare-do in Nezu, Bunkyo-ku
- Tenoha in Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku
- Teshigoto in Todoroki, Setagaya-ku
- Touan Yabukita in Kappabashi Kitchen Town, Asakusa, Taito-ku
- Utsuwa Aoba-do in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Utsuwa Daifuku in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Utsuwa Dokoro Kurumi in Kamiogi, Suginami-ku
- Utsuwa Kaede in Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
- Utsuwa Kenshin in Shibuya, Shibuya-ku
- Utsuwa Shizen in Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
- Utsuwa Party in Komaba, Meguro-ku
- Vada Antiques in Kichijoji Hon-cho, Musashino-shi
- Wise Wise Tools in Akasaka, Minato-ku
- Yuyujin in Takaban, Meguro-ku
- Zakka Tsuchi no Kioku in Asagaya Minami, Suginami-ku
Japanese Online Shop
- Japanese Pottery Shop (ships internationally)
- Monsen
- Tojian
- Tableware East
- Uchill
- Utsuwaya Nishiyama
Have you brought back anything for your kitchen while visiting Japan? What are your favorites? Comment below and share your stories with us!
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Nami,
What beautiful items you brought back! Japanese tableware is so enjoyable to see and I do believe that eating in these types of bowls makes eating more pleasurable.
By the way, I am planning to buy a few basic items to serve food soon. So, is there any post or video of yours in which you explain the different items and their purpose that I am missing? If not, are you planning to do so? I would love to hear from you about this part of Japanese cuisine.
Thank you!
My best regards,
Carlos
Hi Carlos! Thank you for reading my post. Yeah, I agree about more enjoyable and pleasurable about eating food off from nice plates and bowls. You get to enjoy with eyes first before biting onto delicious meal. 🙂
And thank you so much for your request. I don’t currently have any post to explain, but maybe I can think about the blog post explaining that… I don’t have a full set of plates and bowls here so I have to think about how I can take those pictures (We only use my own images, not using other people’s images)… I put down in my notes, and I hope I can create this information.
Nami,
Thank you so much for having the time to reply to my comment!
I’d be very happy to see a post with the complete set of plates you mentioned, but I’m sure your set would be more than enough for us to have a excellent glimpse at this part of the Japanese cuisine.
Regards,
Carlos
I felt so sorry for you that some of your precious pottery got broken. How they can repair your grandmother’s tea bowl.
Theresa! I’m attending Kintsugi workshop in San Francisco this November. I am hoping to learn how to fix my grandma’s bowl there. It’s sort of expensive workshop to attend as I could probably pay the same amount of money to get my grandma’s bowl fix at Kintsugi shop in Japan… but I thought I could learn something new and experience putting broken pieces together. 😀 I am hoping to share the experience via Instagram/Facebook stories. 🙂
One of my favourite things to go shopping for when I go to Japan is kitchen gadgets! I love looking around Daiso for interesting ones, and have brought back so many things in the past! They have such a better range of things compared to the UK and all so much more affordable!
Hi Charlotte! I love all the unique gadgets that help my kitchen experience too! And they are much smaller than American kitchen gadgets, and that’s one of reasons I enjoy keeping them around in my drawers etc. 🙂
Now, i just realize i need all those things. 🙂
Thanks for reading! Yeah, they are all nice and fun to have. 🙂
I asked my hubby to buy me a “real” Tamagoyaki pan from Japan and he got the T Fal brand from Tokyu Hands. This was after I attempted to make Tamagoyaki using a cheap pan from Daiso. It burned!
Hi Karen! Yeah the material is not right. It burns so fast and it becomes a garbage. No matter how much oil you add it. I thought it was my bad Tamagoyaki cooking skill. Glad your husband got you a good quality Tamagoyaki pan!
What a fun blog read. Thanks for sharing the “must haves” from Japan.
I picked up some cooking utensils when I was there over 15 years. I still use them all the time. They are shaped just right and are sturdy. I can’t believe I found them at the 100 yen store.
Hi June! Thank you for reading this post! RIGHT??? How come they are cooking utensils that work well? I don’t get it. And like you said, quality is amazing. I’ve tried different egg separator (yolk and white) from US companies, but they all don’t work. I’m still using one from Daiso that cost me only 100 yen over decade ago!
I can’t even describe how envious I am of your tableware collection!!! If you think it’s hard to source good Japanese tableware in the US, try the UK! 🙂
Hi Carla! Hahaha but UK has such a beeeeeeautiful tableware (and I wish I could bring some back!). But I know it’s so hard to find “real” Japanese things outside of Japan. Things we can find are all… inexpensive (or really cheap) kind… not beautiful pieces.
Hope someone will start ceramic shops in our neighborhood dedicated for true ceramic lovers. 😀 We can dream…
I am so happy you wrote this post, and your other Japan posts, as we are heading there in November! Thank you!
Hi Daphne! Thanks for reading this post! Have a great time in Japan! I love fall in Japan… I’m so jealous! 🙂
What fun, Nami! I love all the vintage pieces best. Little treasures.
Thank you Lisa!
I found the “press” to make Tokoroten on my last trip to Japan. I looked specifically for it. I wanted a wooden one as I had tried the plastic one I found here in the states but it wasn’t as good. My mother used to make this in the summertime but I couldn’t find the one she had but I found one in Japan.
The other wonderful thing that was given to me as omiyage from a relative was a rice paddle that stood on end!! I absolutely love it & need to find another!!
Keep your travel posts coming & tips on cooking. I love your site & it is my “go to” place to look for Japanese recipes. Any thought for Tokoroten sauce recipes?
Hi Annie! I know which one you’re talking about. Tokoroten is something I bought or dined out, but I realized that it’s something we can’t get here in the US. It’s nice that your mother made homemade! That’s how we keep the tradition going. I think most Japanese don’t make homemade anymore.
The stand rice paddle can be purchased on Amazon (https://amzn.to/2x1aFBf), a bit more expensive than Japan though. I have one too!
Thanks for reading my blog and trying out my recipes!
Oh the tokoroten sauce… did you know depending on the regions you live in Japan, the sauce is different?
Tokyo: soy sauce + vinegar
Osaka: Kuromitsu
Shikoku area: dashi
Dear Nami,
I own a 3-stack steamer which is square in shape. I bought this steamer through a major Japanese online outlet on the Internet. Although I have a 3-stack steamer round in shape, the square one is sturdier and better made. It was worth the shipping cost.
From the same Internet outlet, I bought a shabu-shabu hot pot. Even though it is summer, I have not been shy in making hot pots, Always a quick and easy meal.
Again from the same Internet outlet, I bought a copper Tamagoyaki pan. I have used the pan to make all sorts of tamagoyaki’s. My grandchildren love tamagoyaki stuffed with chopped cold cuts like, ham, turkey, roast beef. Another favorites in my household is tamagoyaki stuffed with smoked salmon.
For me the cost of shipping is well worth it.
Thank you and warmest regards,
Steve
Hi Steve! Wow you have a square steamer! I think my grandma used to own one and I forgot about the existence as round shape ones are so much more common here in the US. Good choice!
I also eat hot pots in the summer time… partially it’s cold here in SF area, and hot pot is a quick meal in my house. I prep by cutting veggies, but the rest of my family can join to help cook dinner. Lazy mom. 😉
How’s your copper Tamagoyaki pan? I’d like to get one someday… maybe the square shape as I don’t own one (mine is rectangular). It’s great if I have to make for more people. Love your healthy and hearty Tamagoyaki for your children!
Thank you for your input!
I have found a couple of “rolled omelet pans” made by Pampered Chef. They are a variation of what you saw here, but there is a clever dividing rim in the middle of the pan that makes my omelet cook more evenly. I really like it. I start my omelet in the first compartment and when the pan builds up a bit of cooked egg, I tip the pan so the uncooked part flows into the second compartment. Soon it is just about done, still moist on top and I start rolling it. I get a perfect rolled omelet every time. If you’re interested check it out on their web site pamperedchef.com These pans are high quality aluminum with nonstick surface. BTW I was hoping to find out how to use a Japanese grill pan at a thrift shop today. It resembles the old Burton stovetop grill, but this one is extremely heavy and has a unique textured surface, sort of like a waffle of sorts, with holes in the waffle protrusion. It has the look of a turtle, and I assume I will use it over a gas burner at the table for satay and bulgogi etc. Can’t wait to try it! John in Alexandria VA
Hi John! Thank you so much for sharing your tip with us! 🙂
We are planning a trip to Japan in March 2019. I think I will buy some chiffon cake pans. Also want to pick up a mortar and pestle (for ground sesame seeds), Japanese knife and some eyeglasses!! So excited! I went about 14 years ago….loved it!!
Hi Wanda! AWESOME! Hope you get to see cherry blossoms too. Past few years cherry blossoms have been blooming earlier… maybe you can catch the beautiful scenery! Oh yes, a nice mortar and pestle from Japan is a great idea. You “can” buy on Amazon, but they don’t look nearly nice as ones you can buy anywhere in Japan… 😉 Oh and they have nice fashionable eye glasses for much inexpensive price too. Have a great trip!
Nami-san, I loved seeing cookware and tableware you brought from Japan. I have collected many beautiful ceramics, and I will send you a photo when I go home. I went to Shimizu Cooking School in Hiroshima, so I knew some cookware to buy. My favorite is the tableware…it is so beautiful and useful. I especially like the small plates and the very small bowls and plates for pickles. Thank you for all the tasty recipes. We love them.
Hi Nancy! Thank you for reading my blog and trying out my recipes! How nice that you could attend the cooking school! I also love those small bowls and plates too. They are so easy to collect and great for food props. 😀
Nami-San:this blog of dishes was fascinating. Loved it! I will be going to Okinawa and Kyushu in November. And, so I will be looking for utensils and ceramics there . The drop lid was something I wud like but are the wooden ones better?
Thank you so much for reading this post, Carol! I’m jealous! We truly enjoyed visiting Kyushu and Okinawa. Hope you have fun!
Regarding drop lid, unless all your pots are same size, it’s inconvenient to have several wooden lids. And they don’t create smaller wooden lids… So my recommendation is to get adjustable one, so you can use it for all size pots. 🙂
PLEASE do a report on the kintsugi class when you take it! I too have discovered a broken ceramic or two when returning home which was sad, but the coffee cup was a precious and irreplaceable gift I’d like to repair in the traditional method.
Hi Jim! Yes, if I am allowed to take pictures during the class, I may be able to make a post. Otherwise, I’ll do my best to report in Instagram Stories capturing with my iphone. It is so sad when you find out broken ceramics, despite your effort to wrap well… Hope you can fix yours. If you have a chance to go to Japan, you can find a Kintsugi shop. It’s much cheaper to ask them to fix one ceramic than the workshop I’m attending in SF…